There are many causes of pelvic pain not related to infertility including hernias, chronic appendicitis, bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome to name a few. Pelvic pain related to infertility may be due to a number of causes including endometriosis, adhesions, pelvic inflammatory disease, adenomyosis, and fibroids.

Endometriosis is when tissue from the endometrium is found outside of the uterus. This tissue may adhere to the ovaries, bladder, outside of the uterus and bowel. This tissue can cause pain and infertility issues although it is unclear why some women develop endometriosis. Endometriosis is thought to be present in 10% of women and in up to 50% of women with infertility.

Pelvic adhesions may be due to endometriosis, pelvic infections, or surgeries. Scar tissues can cause organs to adhere or stick to each other causing pain or discomfort.

Adenomyosis is when the endometrium grows into the wall of the uterus and usually causes painful and heavy menstrual periods.

Fibroids (also known as myomas or leiomyomas) are benign tumors of the muscle in the uterine wall. They can be found in different locations in the wall. Subserosal are found in the outside wall of the uterus, intramuaral are found in the middle of the uterine wall, and submucosal are found in the uterine cavity.